Gfactor
1 known investors
The company develops tools to reduce vehicle damage and safety risk by preparing drivers for real-world conditions without exposing them to real-world consequences.
Also known as G Factor · Gfactor
Founders & leadership
Investors · 1
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Gfactor is a New Zealand-based company that develops virtual reality simulation tools intended to build vehicle operating skill without exposing trainees to real-world consequences. Its positioning is around reducing vehicle damage and serious risk, with training content spanning road driving and other vehicle categories such as ATVs, and it markets to multiple industries.
The company's flagship product is CoDriVR, an education simulator for learner drivers in New Zealand. CoDriVR uses virtual reality with graphics of real New Zealand roads so learners can practise core driving skills without the cost, anxiety or crash risk of a real car; the company also states it is developing more intense scenarios that train drivers to react correctly in critical situations. Gfactor frames the need for the product with New Zealand Ministry of Transport statistics on licensing and crash rates, noting that a large share of New Zealand jobs require a licence while a small share of 15-24 year olds hold a full licence.
Beyond learner driver training, the company describes broader aims of widening access to life experiences, skills development and immersive sharing of expertise.
Founding story
Founder and CEO Rhys Gardner is a rally and race driver from Dunedin. Motivated by car accidents affecting friends and family, he began teaching young learners car control in a paddock on his family farm, roughly a decade before the company's about page was written. That work evolved into the founding of Gfactor, applying virtual reality to driver education and to the sharing of skills and experiences.
Business model
Gfactor supplies simulators and simulation software to organisations, offering both purchase of a CoDriVR simulator and access to use a simulator, supported by an organisation information pack and enquiry process. It also seeks partners and collaborators to co-develop the next version of the programme.
Traction
A pilot programme in Mid-South Canterbury involved secondary schools, the YMCA and APM beta testing simulators and software. The company states its CoDriVR learner simulators are sold out owing to a supplier shortage and that pre-registration is open for a new version.
Latest developments
CoDriVR learner simulators are listed as sold out due to a supplier shortage, and Gfactor is seeking partners and collaborators for an evolved version of the programme, with an organisation information pack dated 2023.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography, history
Market position
Positions itself as a New Zealand provider of virtual reality driver education as a lower-risk, lower-cost alternative to learning solely behind the wheel of a real car.
Technology
Virtual reality simulation software paired with simulator hardware. CoDriVR renders detailed graphics of real New Zealand roads in VR, delivering core driving skill practice and scenario-based training for high-consequence situations.
Go-to-market
Direct sales and enquiry-led distribution of simulators to schools and organisations, a beta/pilot programme run with regional education and employment partners and programme sponsors, media coverage in New Zealand outlets, and a monthly email briefing on vehicle risk and virtual training tools.
Learner drivers in New Zealand and the organisations that train them, including secondary schools, the YMCA and APM in Mid-South Canterbury; the company also markets vehicle risk and ATV training tools to multiple industries.
Geography
Headquartered in New Zealand with an initial deployment focus on Mid-South Canterbury; the founder is based in Dunedin and product content is built around New Zealand roads.
History
In March 2021 the company's driving simulator received New Zealand media coverage, including 1News and reports that a pilot would launch in Mid-South Canterbury that year. In May 2021 the simulator was featured in issue 15/2021 of Engineering Magazine. In June 2022 the company reported converting a student intern, Clayton, into a permanent team member. By the 2023 information pack period, CoDriVR learner simulators were sold out due to a supplier shortage and the company was seeking partners to develop an evolved version of the programme.
Compiled by commissioned research from 8 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Timeline · 3
launches, deals, and filingsGfactor reported that intern Clayton joined the team permanently following his student internship.
Engineering Magazine issue 15/2021 carried a first look at how the Gfactor simulator advances a user's driving skills.
New Zealand media reported that a driving simulator aimed at making youth road-ready before leaving school was set to launch in Mid-South Canterbury, with a pilot planned for that year.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
▸Research sources · 8
primary sources listed
- Gfactorgfactor.co.nz · web
8 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Gfactor do?
- New Zealand company building virtual-reality driving and vehicle simulators to teach driving skills and reduce vehicle damage and risk.
- Who founded Gfactor?
- Gfactor was founded by Claire Paterson.
- Who are Gfactor's investors?
- Gfactor's investors include Alt Ventures.